The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 12 2025

From cruise ships retreating to Chinese booking shifts — a day of exits, limits, wins, and weirdness

Disney pulls out of Australian waters, Newark’s woes drag on, American Airlines faces another baggage blunder, a financing win makes waves, Travelsky flexes its domestic platform, and today’s quirky is… well… unexpected.

1. It’s not often that the Mouse retreats

   Disney Cruise Line will exit Australian waters, ending a short-lived venture into the market. For fans Down Under, the magic is moving on.

   Read more.

2. Newark ain’t going to get better for a while

   The FAA plans to extend Newark Liberty’s flight cap until late 2026, citing congestion and operational constraints. Passengers: brace for more of the same.

   Read more.

3. More baggage screwups

   American Airlines is facing a $216,000 lawsuit after a check-in glitch caused a baggage nightmare. Just another reminder of how fragile airline IT can be.

   Read more.

4. Wow! That’s terrific

   A major positive development in air finance is making industry insiders take notice. Sometimes the good news is just as striking as the bad.

   Read more.

5. Travelsky launches booking on Umetrip

   Chinese passengers can now book flights directly via the Umetrip app, part of a bigger push to consolidate domestic airline distribution.

   Read more.

6. Quirky: Some tech press releases really are works of art

   Today’s gem reads like a cross between overexcited marketing and sci-fi worldbuilding — proof that tech PR can be unintentionally hilarious.

   Read more.

📣 Don’t forget:

The Professor’s Minute Minute → https://tinyurl.com/ynvpddfw

The OFFICIAL Professor Sabena Blog → https://tinyurl.com/j9x8cmhm

Explore the old archive → https://tinyurl.com/njj9z6p4

#Tags:

#Travel #Aviation #Airlines #Tourism #Cruise #DisneyCruiseLine #Australia #NewarkAirport #FAA #FlightCap #AmericanAirlines #Baggage #AirlineIT #AirFinance #Umetrip #Travelsky #ChinaTravel #QuirkyTravel #TechPR

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 11 2025

 From courtroom lessons to corporate woes, and a final laugh at travel’s expense

A plane retires from the spotlight, Sabre faces the lawyers, Sri Lanka joins the booking platform game, employment law bites, a sobering aviation hearing, and a quirky pick straight from the pages of satire.

1. I flew on this plane – now it goes back to being boring

   ANA’s specially painted jet, once a crowd-puller and AvGeek magnet, returns to regular livery. A reminder that aircraft fame is fleeting, but the flight goes on.

   Read more.

2. Sabre faces investor investigation

   Following a disastrous Q2, Sabre is now in the sights of Levi & Korsinsky for potential securities law violations. Not unexpected given market reactions.

   Read more.

3. Sri Lanka launches local flight booking platform

   ICanFly aims to offer a homegrown digital booking solution for domestic and regional travel — part of a wider trend toward national travel tech sovereignty.

   Read more.

4. Court ruling offers lessons for both employers and employees

   The UK Court of Appeal’s decision in Jason Lutz v Ryanair highlights the fine balance in employment law — and the risks when either side oversteps.

   Read more.

5. AA vs Military Helicopter crash hearings reveal shocking details

   The AvTalk Podcast dives into the hearings, shedding light on a tragic collision and the operational failings behind it. Sobering listening for anyone in aviation safety.

   Read more.

6. Quirky: Wankernomics — the Dilbert of the corporate BS world

   This book skewers management-speak, consultant culture, and corporate nonsense with razor-sharp wit. It’s absurdly relatable — and perfect for a laugh after a long day.

   Read more.

📣 Don’t forget:

The Professor’s Minute Minute → https://tinyurl.com/ynvpddfw

The OFFICIAL Professor Sabena Blog → https://tinyurl.com/j9x8cmhm

Explore the old archive → https://tinyurl.com/njj9z6p4

#Tags:

#Travel #Aviation #Airlines #Tourism #AvGeek #ANA #AircraftLivery #Sabre #InvestorAlert #SecuritiesLaw #SriLanka #TravelTech #DigitalBooking #Ryanair #EmploymentLaw #CourtRuling #AviationSafety #AA #MilitaryHelicopter #Podcast #QuirkyTravel #CorporateSatire

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 10 2025

From robotaxis to runaway pilots, a day of travel tech breakthroughs and eyebrow-raising human moments

Today’s roundup takes you from surging Chinese traffic into Sydney, through AI-native travel platforms, autonomous rides with no steering wheels, an airline’s half-million-dollar mishap, the latest leap in AI, and… a pilot taxiing straight toward ground crew without clearance.

1. Where are those Chinese passengers going? Why Oz, of course.

   Sydney Airport hit the 10 million passenger mark in Q2, with Chinese passport holders up 11% year-on-year. The surge underscores the rapid rebound of outbound China travel — and the allure of Australia as a destination.

   Read more.

2. MCP to the rescue?

   A world-first AI-native travel platform has gone live, with promises to eliminate distribution friction. MCP (Model Context Protocol) could finally bridge fragmented content sources — if adoption follows the hype.

   Read more.

3. Robo taxis are coming (no steering wheel required)

   Amazon’s Zoox just pushed the future of urban transport one notch closer, unveiling autonomous robotaxis built from the ground up — without steering wheels or pedals.

   Read more.

4. A strange tail — fab if you were one of the lucky ones

   United somehow managed to lose $500,000 per customer in a rare operational/financial glitch. The beneficiaries? A tiny group of very happy travelers.

   Read more.

5. Yes, the hype is here — but it’s kinda important

   OpenAI has introduced GPT-5, promising major advances in reasoning, multimodality, and task automation. Expect a new wave of AI applications across travel, aviation, and beyond.

   Read more.

6. Quirky: This isn’t just quirky — it’s bizarre

   A pilot taxied without permission and nearly plowed into ground crew. It’s the sort of safety lapse that makes you wonder how many close calls never make the headlines.

   Read more.

📣 Don’t forget:

The Professor’s Minute Minute → https://tinyurl.com/ynvpddfw

The OFFICIAL Professor Sabena Blog → https://tinyurl.com/j9x8cmhm

Explore the old archive → https://tinyurl.com/njj9z6p4

#Tags:

#Travel #Aviation #Airlines #Tourism #AvGeek #AirportTraffic #SydneyAirport #ChinaTravel #MCP #AIinTravel #AI #TravelTech #Amazon #Zoox #Robotaxi #AutonomousVehicles #UnitedAirlines #AirlineMishaps #GPT5 #ArtificialIntelligence #PilotError #GroundSafety #AviationSafety #QuirkyTravel

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 9 2025

 A day of grand promises, awkward codes, and warning signs for travel’s future

From Heathrow’s billion-pound dreams to Japan’s demographic time bomb — and yes, an airport code list that will make you snort into your coffee — today’s collection reminds us that big infrastructure bets, corporate missteps, and shifting populations are reshaping the travel world in real time.

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“Well, That Sux” – Airport Codes That Make You Snicker

Turns out Gaya Airport in India has the unfortunate code GAY, and it’s just the start of a list that includes PEE, POO, and YUM. The world’s airport codes are a goldmine for unintended giggles – and sometimes, rebranding debates. Read the full cringe list here.

1. Maybe This Time It Will Happen – Heathrow’s 3rd Runway Resurfaces

   London Heathrow has submitted a £21bn ($27bn) plan for a third runway, promising jobs, growth, and better UK connectivity. Decades of political wrangling have left many skeptical, but with post-Brexit trade urgency, the push is back on. Details here.

2. From Sicily With Span – Italy Approves the Mega Bridge

   After more than 50 years of talk, the Italian government has signed off on a bridge linking Sicily to mainland Italy. If built, it’ll be one of the world’s longest suspension bridges – and a seismic engineering marvel. Read the story.

3. Sabre Stock Gets Thrashed

   Sabre’s share price took a pounding this week after disappointing earnings and lowered guidance. For a company built on decades of GDS dominance, the market’s patience may be wearing thin. More here.

4. Is NPS Dead for Airlines?

   IATA seems to think so. In its latest communication, the airline trade body questions whether Net Promoter Score really works in aviation – hinting at a push for alternative passenger experience metrics. Read the IATA update.

5. Japan’s Population Decline – An Asian Travel Time Bomb

   Japan just posted its largest-ever recorded population drop. Fewer people means fewer domestic travelers, more labor shortages, and a tourism market heavily reliant on foreign visitors. See the CNN report.

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Don’t forget:

The Professor’s Minute Minute → https://tinyurl.com/ynvpddfw

The OFFICIAL Professor Sabena Blog → https://tinyurl.com/j9x8cmhm

Explore the old archive → https://tinyurl.com/njj9z6p4

#Travel #Aviation #Airlines #Tourism #Infrastructure #AvGeek #AirportCodes #Heathrow #LHR #ThirdRunway #UKAviation #Italy #Sicily #MessinaBridge #Megaprojects #Sabre #GDS #AirlineTech #AirlineRetailing #IATA #NPS #CX #PassengerExperience #Japan #Demographics #AgingSociety #APACTourism

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The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 8, 2025

From brutal talent wars to pink animal cuisine, today’s lineup offers insight, irony, and a dash of the bizarre.

Air India gets serious

🔗 https://www.airindia.com/in/en/safety.html

A message from the CEO. A commitment to safety. 

Engine delays, still

🔗 https://www.flightglobal.com/aerospace/safran-aims-to-recover-leap-delivery-backlog-to-airbus-by-end-october/164013.article

Safran’s LEAP backlog lingers (Let's not forget the RTX challenges. Airbus keeps waiting. And so do we all.

Reality bites for travel startups

🔗 https://www.phocuswire.com/travel-funding-investors-view-phocuswright-europe-2025

Funding isn’t dead—it just demands a better pitch. If you’re building in travel, this is your new gospel.

Points or pesos?

🔗 https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/aeroplan/acearn.htm#/

Air Canada tweaks rewards. More cash-earning, less point-chasing. The monetization of loyalty continues.

Global talent tug-of-war

🔗 https://www.intelligenceonline.com/government-intelligence/2025/06/25/e255000-salary-free-schooling-china-s-new-campaign-to-attract-world-s-top-researchers%2C110468645-art

The U.S. throws out experts. China welcomes them with $255K salaries and tuition perks. One country’s loss…

Quirky: Danish zoo says it plainly

🔗 https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/08/05/zoo-denmark-pets-predators-aalborg/

“They’re eating the dogs.”

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Hashtags

#TravelNews #AviationSafety #GlobalTalent #TravelTechnology #Travel #Airlines

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📣 Don’t forget:

🧠 The Professor’s Minute Minute → https://tinyurl.com/ynvpddfw

✍ The OFFICIAL Professor Sabena Blog → https://tinyurl.com/j9x8cmhm

📚 Explore the old archive → https://tinyurl.com/njj9z6p4

The Professor’s Minute Minute August 7, 2025

It’s Education Day in Travel – today’s Minute Minute brings a dose of design, denial, data… and one very pink jet. Let’s dive in.

Balmer throws shade

LinkedIn: USAFacts statement

Steve Ballmer responds to Trump’s stats with his own. Rare political flex from the ex-Microsoft CEO turned stats evangelist.

Designing a better experience

Visitor Economy CRC

Australia doubles down on designing smarter, more inclusive tourism experiences. Watch this space if you care about experience-led recovery.

Bags – the final frontier

Substack: Baggage Issues

Baggage delays are rising again. Is it operational misfire or just too many passengers with overstuffed bags?

Why airlines boot you off

Substack: Airline Overbooking Explained

Ever been involuntarily bumped? Here’s why it happens—and why the model still persists.

Know your rights

Wikipedia: Air Passenger Rights

Before your next flight delay or bump, read this. You might be entitled to compensation—especially in the EU.

Quirky: Hilton takes flight

Robb Report: Paris Hilton’s Jet

Paris Hilton’s private jet looks like something Barbie and Elon collaborated on. Is it extra? Absolutely. But you know you’re curious.

Hashtags

#TravelNews #AirlineLife #TourismTrends #PassengerRights #TravelTechnology #Travel #Airlines

📣 Don’t forget:

The Professor’s Minute Minute https://tinyurl.com/ynvpddfw

The OFFICIAL Professor Sabena Blog https://tinyurl.com/j9x8cmhm

Explore the old archive: https://tinyurl.com/njj9z6p4 

The Professor’s Minute Minute August 6, 2025

Great data – you just have to pay for it – sometimes.

Location, events, and demand signals all neatly packaged… for a fee. PredictHQ is trying to bring a little more science to travel forecasting.

🔗 https://www.predicthq.com/products

Want to know what those funny codes are? Airports and airlines?

This is the definitive source for IATA codes – essential for anyone working in or around aviation.

🔗 https://www.iata.org/en/publications/directories/code-search/

Search for the registration of a plane.

Curious about who owns that aircraft you’re boarding? This free lookup lets you peek behind the tail number.

🔗 https://www.regosearch.com/search/results/

Can ChatGPT really write like you?

A simple guide to training AI to mimic your writing style. It’s not perfect… yet.

🔗 https://www.itsthatlady.dev/blog/how-to-train-chatgpt-to-write-like-you/

Google’s playtown: Labs FX.

Experimental ideas, AI demos, and sandboxed interfaces galore. Enjoy it before it disappears like so many other “labs.”

🔗 https://labs.google/fx

Quirky: Your ticket is someone else’s asset.

Turns out major U.S. airlines may be quietly sharing your travel history with DHS — no warrant required — through ARC.

🔗 https://boltzlegal.com/faq/product-liability/airlines-sold-your-travel-data-to-the-feds-what-you-need-to-know

#TravelIntelligence #AIWriting #SurveillanceCapitalism

#TravelTechnology #Travel #Airlines 

Don’t forget:

The Professor’s Minute Minute https://tinyurl.com/ynvpddfw

The OFFICIAL Professor Sabena Blog https://tinyurl.com/j9x8cmhm

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 5, 2025

 One person running the control tower? Lawsuits, bounties, and microplastics—today’s edition is filled with the uncomfortable truths and a few strange splashes.

Not a good look – ONE guy was at the controls at the airport everyone loves to hate.

🔗 https://simpleflying.com/1-atc-managed-all-flights-newark-liberty-3-hours/

The Doorplug incident did not go unnoticed – Boeing gets sued again—this time by flight attendants.

🔗 https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/01/us/boeing-door-plug-flight-attendants-lawsuit-hnk

Plastics, eat, breathe, absorb – Yes, they are inside us now.

🔗 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01447-3/abstract

There is a bounty on people’s heads – AI deepfakes, surveillance, and yes—real-world consequences.

🔗 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3v3rygdrryo

Really, why? – Racist backlash forces NZ media to shut down public comments after Air New Zealand CEO appointment.

🔗 https://travelweekly.com.au/racist-abuse-forces-nz-media-to-limit-comments-after-air-new-zealand-ceo-appointment/

Do you like to swim? – The quirkiest stat of the day: who swims the most? Spoiler: not Americans.

🔗 https://www.statista.com/chart/34874/respondents-who-swim-dive/

#TravelTechnology #Travel #Airlines #Boeing #PublicHealth #AIethics

📣 Don’t forget: Follow the full archive at t2ni.blogspot.com and look out for the Best of the Week recap every Sunday on LinkedIn and Instagram.

You can also read the Professor’s musings here: https://t2impact.blogspot.com

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena

The Professor’s Minute Minute August 4, 2025

One airline’s tariff is another’s tax exemption. The travel world has never been good at fair. Did Concorde's nose grow?

Tariffs and Aviation

The unevenness is obvious. Some airlines fly through loopholes, others smack into regulatory walls.

🔗 https://weekly.visualapproach.io/p/tariffs-depart-for-some-not-for-others

Amadeus says it has challenges

Q2 wasn’t kind, but the long game still looks strong — if they can control distribution costs and market swings.

🔗 https://www.tipranks.com/news/company-announcements/amadeus-earnings-call-highlights-growth-amid-challenges

Unintended consequences

Cheaper EVs mean less gas tax… and more road tolls or other make-up charges. Pay now or pay weird later.

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/russell-king-transport-leader_most-people-think-making-electric-cars-cheaper-activity-7356813419058024449-aICo

Mid vs Back Office

Need a better handle on how booking platforms and agency tech works behind the scenes? This breakdown helps.

🔗 https://www.altexsoft.com/blog/mid-office-back-office-systems-in-travel/

NDC and Direct Connect ROI

The costs are real, the benefits still hazy. Is this transformation or a tax on transformation?

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alexeyyanshin_ndcdistribution-traveltech-airlineretailing-activity-7357963807169626112-1LYc

Quirky Fact of the Day

The Concorde could stretch 10 inches during flight due to skin heating at Mach 2. That’s nearly a foot longer midair than on the ground. Supersonic swagger comes with side effects.

🔗 https://www.concordesst.com/faq.html#Stretch

#aviation #traveltech #ndc #airlinedistribution #tariffs #backoffice #amadeus #airlineretailing #transportationpolicy #professorsminuteminute

📣 Don’t forget: Follow the full archive at t2ni.blogspot.com and look out for the Best of the Week recap every Sunday on LinkedIn and Instagram.

You can also read the Professor’s musings here: https://t2impact.blogspot.com

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 3, 2025

Direct is dead. Pets are in. UX from porn. And Oshkosh? Always magic.

So much for Direct.

The final big UK brand selling direct has been gobbled up. Who wins when the last ones fall?

https://www.law360.com/competition/articles/2360291

Pets in cabin? It’s a thing now.

Italy and Virgin Australia are opening the doors (and aisles) to cats and pups. No emotional support iguanas… yet. (You’ll have to look that up yourself—true story.)

OnlyFans as a UX lesson?

Yes. The adult industry has long pioneered digital experience. Ignore it at your peril—even if you don’t get it.

https://www.economist.com/business/2025/06/24/how-onlyfans-transformed-porn

Oshkosh magic

You missed it. It was thrilling. Thousands of planes landing by color dot and radio jazz.

https://blog.flightaware.com/the-magic-of-oshkosh-how-thousands-of-aircraft-arrive-each-year

Track flights like a pro (or a pilot)

Wader Aviation’s slick platform is worth your time—even if you’re just stalking your cousin’s Ryanair ride.

https://www.waderaviation.com/

Quirky: Most popular in-cabin dog breed for first class travelers in 2024?

The French Bulldog. Loud snores, (some farts), zero chill, infinite loyalty. Just like some status flyers you know.

🔗 https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2024/04/09/flying-with-dogs-airline-pet-policies/

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📣 Don’t forget: Follow the full archive at t2ni.blogspot.com and look out for the Best of the Week recap every Sunday on LinkedIn and Instagram.

You can also read the Professor’s musings here: https://t2impact.blogspot.com

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena

#TravelTech #UX #AirlineIndustry #Oshkosh2025 #OnlyFansUX #PetsInCabin #FrenchBulldogsFlyToo #AviationCulture #DirectBooking

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 2, 2025

When the real world outpaces parody, it’s time to buckle up.

No you cannot make this stuff up

An Indonesian official tried to fake a degree by generating it with ChatGPT—live, on TV.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g0z1d28e5o

Wow that wasn’t expected

Net migration has pushed the UK into one of its biggest population jumps in 75 years.

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/net-migration-fuels-second-biggest-population-rise-in-75-years-5ppzpzmf7

It only applies to 9 planes

But FAA’s flag on suspect titanium in Boeing 787s shows just how fragile aircraft supply chains still are.

https://airguide.info/faa-flags-unapproved-titanium-in-boeing-787-ram-air-turbines/

Southwest tightens the belt

Their “Customer of Size” policy just got less friendly. Not exactly a PR win.

https://www.gatechecked.com/southwest-tightens-the-belt-on-customer-of-size-policy-10643

Greenway is letting Airbus know

Great interview with JetBlue’s Robin Hayes on why OEMs need to shape up—fast.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-air-show/id1735858856

Really Quirky: The World’s First Laundry-Free Underwear

Yes, this is real. Kickstarter has truly jumped the shark.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/techkonic/the-worlds-first-laundry-free-underwear-redone

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📣 Don’t forget: Follow the full archive at t2ni.blogspot.com and look out for the Best of the Week recap every Sunday on LinkedIn and Instagram.

You can also read the Professor’s musings here: https://t2impact.blogspot.com

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena

#aviation #Boeing787 #UKimmigration #JetBlue #SouthwestAirlines #weirdnews #kickstarter #ChatGPTfail #supplychain 

The Professor’s Minute Minute – August 1, 2025

 Airlines. Retailing. Vegas. And a serious alert on a deadly new drug.

Listen to him – he makes sense (honestly)

David Neeleman outlines what makes Breeze tick—and what legacy carriers still don’t get.

https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airlines-lessors/ceo-interview-breeze-airways-ceo-david-neeleman_

Following on from Flyadeal’s lead

Wizz Air is doubling its spare engine pool. This GTF issue is not going away.And it is still costing airlines. 

https://aviationweek.com/mro/aircraft-propulsion/gtf-issues-force-wizz-air-double-spare-engine-count

Remember this is PR

Amadeus and British Airways paint a picture of airline retailing. But is it actionable?

https://amadeus.com/en/blog/articles/airline-retailing-in-action-optimizing-revenue-british-airways

Expansion for Britain’s airways

Heathrow’s third runway is back—this time with scissors taken to the plan.

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/transport/article/heathrow-airport-shorter-third-runway-dgt0fnss0

Are things not good in Vegas?

Las Vegas’ tourism bubble may be deflating. Casinos feel the squeeze.

https://www.newsweek.com/las-vegas-economic-troubles-casino-gambling-2104219

Public Service Announcement – Nitazenes

Forget fentanyl—this new synthetic opioid is even deadlier and harder to trace. You need to know about it.

https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/nitazenes-opioid-drug-crisis-ded1a3b9

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📣 Don’t forget: Follow the full archive at t2ni.blogspot.com and look out for the Best of the Week recap every Sunday on LinkedIn and Instagram.

You can also read the Professor’s musings here: https://t2impact.blogspot.com

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena

#airlines #travelindustry #aviationretailing #GTFengines #LasVegas #Heathrow #Neeleman #PSA #opioidcrisis #nitazenes

The Professor’s Minute Minute – July 31, 2025

Sometimes data-driven progress means standing still. Or worse, fizzing out.

Poking holes in the WN model Southwest’s flexibility isn’t looking so flexible anymore.

https://www.theairlineobserver.com/p/southwest-looks-for-solutions-in

Boeing’s new F-47 might take a little extra time Union says no — and STL output might dry up if they walk.

https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/boeings-contract-offer-rejected-by-union-members-2025-07-27/

Does it matter? Travelport’s 23% search speedup is a nice number… but are we solving the right problem?

https://www.travelweek.ca/news/technology-related-travel-news/travelport-cuts-search-times-by-23-says-ceo-webb/

Orders, Firm Orders, Options, and now Mouthls

Boeing’s Trump-era order tally needs a fact-checking algorithm.

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/boeing-emerges-as-a-winner-in-trumps-trade-wars

Amex GBT gets the green light to buy CWT Thank the Trump administration. But should we be worried about more consolidation?

https://investors.amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/investors/news/news-details/2025/Amex-GBT-Announces-Dismissal-of-US-Department-of-Justice-Lawsuit-Challenging-CWT-Acquisition/default.aspx

Quirky stat of the day

Pepsi who? Once a contender, Pepsi now holds just 23% of the U.S. soda market — its smallest share since the 1970s.

https://killercharts.substack.com/p/pepsis-share-of-the-soda-market-shrinks

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📣 Don’t forget: Follow the full archive at t2ni.blogspot.com and look out for the Best of the Week recap every Sunday on LinkedIn and Instagram.

You can also read the Professor’s musings here: https://t2impact.blogspot.com

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena

#airlines #aviationnews #traveltech #uniontalks #marketshare #GBT #consolidation #quirkystats #PepsiVsCoke

The Professor’s Minute Minute – July 30, 2025

 Big Tech arrogance, engineering dreams, OTA data truths, and spy games in the skies. Today’s post mixes regulatory reckoning with the surprising power of information.

Big Tech’s argument about stupid consumers is hitting a wall.

They’re called judges, and they’re not buying it. A must-read (if you can get past the paywall).

🔗 https://www.law360.com/competition/articles/2369616

BYD is set to overtake Tesla sales.

Musk’s self-inflicted wounds finally show up in the scoreboard.

🔗 https://killercharts.substack.com/p/byd-is-set-to-overtake-tesla-sales

So you want to be an aircraft engineer?

A good intro to the career path and a reminder of who keeps us flying.

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/special-edition-get-know-aviation-engineer-p288e/

A great OTA primer.

Want to know who really owns the customer? Hint: It’s not the hotel. It’s the data.

🔗 https://substack.com/home/post/p-169123964

The bad old days when airline employees were secret agents, returned?

A tangled tale from France, Algeria, and the DGSI.

🔗 https://www.intelligenceonline.com/government-intelligence/2025/07/28/from-french-interior-ministry-to-air-algerie-via-the-dgsi-the-legal-woes-of-an-algerian-intelligence-informant-in-france%2C110494906-art

Quirky: A lavatory flush every 12 to 15 passengers.

That’s the average on long-haul flights. You may never un-hear that before your next aisle seat booking.

🔗 https://simpleflying.com/boeing-787-vacuum-toilets-water-usage/

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📣 Don’t forget: Follow the full archive at t2ni.blogspot.com and look out for the Best of the Week recap every Sunday on LinkedIn and Instagram.

You can also read the Professor’s musings here: https://t2impact.blogspot.com

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena

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#traveltech #airlines #aviationgeek #OTA #BigTech #engineering #quirkydata #professorsminuteminute #t2impact

The Professor’s Minute Minute – July 29, 2025

Aviation legends, aging bodies, billion-dollar bolts, and a ghost from Australia’s aviation past… it’s a busy day in the clouds and corridors of power.

Embraer sees regional growth flying high.

Their market outlook projects 11,000 new aircraft deliveries by 2043. That’s a lot of snacks and short runways.

🔗 https://www.embraercommercialaviation.com/marketoutlook/

He’s not dead yet.

Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary is still here, but already talking succession. Start placing your bets.

🔗 https://www.irishpost.com/news/oleary-discusses-possible-ryanair-replacement-295073

Delta TechOps is printing cash.

The airline’s MRO arm is approaching $1B in annual revenue. One person’s rust is another’s goldmine. There's money in them thar hulls...

🔗 https://aviationweek.com/mro/aircraft-propulsion/delta-techops-approaching-1b-annual-revenue

Ansett is back. Sort of.

Australia’s defunct icon lives again, though not as an airline. Millennials, ask your grandparents.

🔗 https://travelweekly.com.au/ansett-is-back-but-not-as-you-know-it/

Maybe cognitive tests aren’t such a bad idea.

Should US Congress pass the Montreal Cognitive Assessment before they pass laws? Asking for several hundred million people.

🔗 https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/26/us/politics/age-cognitive-standards-congress.html

Quirky: Age is just a number — until your joints disagree.

One writer in his 60s tries to defy decline with tech, bloodwork, and stubbornness. The results? Surprisingly human.

🔗 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-11/can-you-defy-aging-in-your-60s-one-writer-s-quest-to-get-healthy

📣 Don’t forget: Follow the full archive at t2ni.blogspot.com and look out for the Best of the Week recap every Sunday on LinkedIn and Instagram.

You can also read the Professor’s musings here: https://t2impact.blogspot.com

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena

#aviationhistory #embraer #ryanair #ansett #mro #delta #congress #longevity #aviationeconomics

The Professor’s Minute Minute – July 28, 2025

 Since it's Monday (somewhere), it’s a day for data: some dazzling, some damning, and one so disastrous it nearly ended in a fiery metric-to-imperial conversion mess.

Metric vs Imperial.

The infamous 1983 Gimli Glider incident — when a brand-new Boeing 767 ran out of fuel midair thanks to unit confusion. A crash course in measurement failure.

🔗 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimli_Glider

Airbus forecasts 40,850 aircraft deliveries by 2043.

Their latest market outlook is slick, optimistic, and deeply European.

🔗 https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-06-airbus-global-market-forecast-2025-people-and-commerce-driving-air

Boeing forecasts 43,560 deliveries (yes, that’s 120 per year more).

Boeing’s market outlook is broader — but no less bullish. Let the forecast wars begin.

🔗 https://www.boeing.com/commercial/market/commercial-market-outlook

Aviation is worth $4 trillion, says Oxford Economics.

That’s 5.1% of global GDP. Try fitting that into a middle seat.

🔗 https://www.oxfordeconomics.com/resource/aviation-benefits-beyond-borders-2024/

Want to fight poverty with data? Try Kiva.

My stats are up, my loans are global, and it’s one of the few feel-good finance stories out there.

🔗 https://t2impact.blogspot.com/2025/07/i-love-kiva-i-love-data-its-great-way.html

Quirky number of the day: 22,300.

That’s how many liters of jet fuel a 767 holds. You probably shouldn’t guesstimate that in pounds.

📣 Don’t forget: Follow the full archive at t2ni.blogspot.com and look out for the Best of the Week recap every Sunday on LinkedIn and Instagram.

You can also read the Professor’s musings here: https://t2impact.blogspot.com

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena

#aviationdata #boeing #airbus #travelforecast #gdpimpact #kiva #quirkynumbers #metricfail

The Professor’s Minute Minute – July 27, 2025

Yes, it’s true — aviation, Olympic merch, and digitally vanishing your house all in one post. You’re welcome.

Fascinating review from guys who know.

(Sorry, it’s behind a paywall.) But Leeham dives deep into what the next big aircraft might look like. This is part of a series.

🔗 https://leehamnews.com/2025/07/17/whats-the-next-new-aircraft/#more-46925

American is whining again.

Its earnings call could be summarized as “everyone else is being mean to us.” But… are they wrong?

🔗 https://www.theairlineobserver.com/p/americans-whiny-earnings-call

When the moose could not make it.

This week’s AvTalk podcast offers insight, laughs, and a big northern no-thank-you to wildlife on runways.

🔗 https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/avtalk-podcast/avtalk-329/

Deer really should not graze on tarmac.

A plane hits a deer in Kodiak, grounding Alaska Airlines flights. Nature strikes back — again.

🔗 https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/video/2025/07/26/video-plane-strikes-deer-kodiak-runway-grounds-alaska-airlines-flights/

Party like it’s 2024?

The official Olympic store has opened, and the merch is… intense. Hope you like €59 baseball caps.

🔗 https://shop.olympics.com/en/os-1

Ever wish you could erase yourself?

OK, not so easy — but you can blur your house on Google Maps. Digital vanishing for beginners.

🔗 https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/how-to-blur-house-on-google-maps/

📣 Don’t forget: Follow the full archive at t2ni.blogspot.com and look out for the Best of the Week recap every Sunday on LinkedIn and Instagram.

You can also read the Professor’s musings here: https://t2impact.blogspot.com

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena

#aviationnews #airlines #olympics #privacy #wildlifehazards #aircraftdesign #travelinsights

The Professor’s Minute Minute July 26, 2025

 If it feels like the skies are more chaotic than usual, you’re not wrong — but sometimes the chaos comes with receipts.

What price safety? FAA’s cost-benefit math on safety improvements might surprise you. A must-read on how value is placed on lives and lives saved.

https://theaircurrent.com/aviation-safety/faa-benefit-cost-analysis-proactive-safety/

Sibling rivalry. Etihad insists it isn’t the favorite child at Abu Dhabi Airport. But… are we sure?

https://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/no-favouritism-for-etihad-at-abu-dhabi-airport-says-ceo-antonoaldo-neves-1.500206495

Boeing’s latest delay. The Max 7 and Max 10 won’t get certified before 2026 — and it’s still about anti-ice issues.

https://theaircurrent.com/aircraft-development/unresolved-engine-anti-ice-fix-pushes-737-max-7-10-certifications-2026/

Martin’s thoughtful take on transformation. Amadeus argues that understanding traveler transitions is the new secret to relevance.

https://amadeus.com/en/blog/articles/traveler-individual-transitions-shaping-global-travel-transformation

Top 10 U.S. domestic airlines, by the numbers. Some familiar faces, but a few surprises may catch you off guard.

https://weekly.visualapproach.io/p/u-s-airlines-domestic-top-ten

The Air Force wanted to eat Delta. A Delta pilot had to swerve to avoid a bomber — and there’s video.

Story: https://www.travelmole.com/news/pilot-takes-evasive-action-to-avoid-military-bomber/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1YejeRy_QM

📣 Don’t forget: Follow the full archive at https://t2ni.blogspot.com and look out for the Best of the Week recap every Sunday on LinkedIn and Instagram.

You can also read the Professor’s musings here: https://t2impact.blogspot.com

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena

#aviation #FAA #boeing #etihad #airlines #traveltransformation #airforcesightings #professorsminuteminute #amadeus #usaviation

The Professor’s Minute Minute July 25, 2025

Somewhere between shadowy airline deals and AI pipe dreams, the future is being built — mostly on contradictions.

The case of the missing 777s. Somehow they slipped into Iran despite sanctions. The Professor isn’t shocked, just intrigued.

https://simpleflying.com/boeing-777s-transfered-iran-despite-sanctions/

Blockchain might finally find its use case — Goldman Sachs and BNY Mellon think $7.1 trillion in money markets is worth tokenizing.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/goldman-bny-mellon-tokenize-71t-money-market-industry-marcel-van-oost-u6qhf/

Trump’s plan for AI is long on bravado, short on, well, everything else.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g8nxrk207o

Hotel chains are finding out that Direct Booking may not be the magic bullet they hoped for. Fascinating detail here.

https://h2c.de/work/research/2024-hotel-direct-booking-acceleration-study/

KKR picks up a minority stake in eTraveli. One to keep an eye on, especially with Booking in the frame.

https://www.phocuswire.com/kkr-minority-stake-etraveli-booking-holdings

Quirky Pick:

Apparently, birds can “feel” magnetic fields — with their eyes. Yes, eyes. Makes the Professor’s built-in compass feel outdated.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41565-024-01678-w

📣 Don’t forget: Follow the full archive at https://t2ni.blogspot.com and look out for the Best of the Week recap every Sunday on LinkedIn and Instagram.

You can also read the Professor’s musings here: https://t2impact.blogspot.com

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena

#aviation #iran #blockchain #directbooking #AIpolicy #KKR #professorsminuteminute #quirkynews #traveltech #birdsense

The Professor’s Minute Minute — July 23, 2025

 

Travel in your blood? Maybe not if you are a German swan. I secretly think they are protesting the loss against Spain. 

According to GBTA, 91% of business travelers consider travel vital to company success. The other 9% are probably working from a hammock.

Source

Why doesn’t Ethiopian Airlines offer Premium Economy? Turns out the math doesn’t work when you already squeeze 270 in the back.

Source

Take a tour through the windswept Highlands and Islands air routes. Spoiler: they don’t serve spritzers, but the views are epic.

Source

Ex-Google and TripAdvisor execs have launched an AI tool to drive direct bookings and cut out OTAs. Agentic meets experiential.

Source

The UAE military is cutting back on consulting firms. McKinsey et al., please collect your slide decks and exit the sandbox.

Source

Quirky Bonus: A swan shut down traffic in Frankfurt for 45 minutes after waddling onto the Autobahn and refusing to move. Locals say it was “just protesting Lufthansa’s new baggage fees.”

Local Source

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📣 Don’t forget: Follow the full archive at t2ni.blogspot.com and look out for the Best of the Week recap every Sunday on LinkedIn and Instagram.

You can also read the Professor’s musings here: https://t2impact.blogspot.com

And explore the old archive: https://www.tumblr.com/professorsabena